Limuru:Kiambu: Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has provided nine milk coolers worth Sh100 million to dairy cooperative societies in Kiambu County. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of thousands of farmers to preserve milk, reduce losses, and secure better prices.
According to Kenya News Agency, the equipment was launched at the Limuru Milk Processing Plant and will be distributed among cooperatives in nine sub-counties. The coolers are anticipated to benefit approximately 21,000 dairy farmers and generate around Sh700 billion annually.
Prof. Kindiki stated that the initiative is part of a broader government program to bolster the dairy value chain by improving milk preservation before it reaches processors. By cooling milk soon after collection, spoilage is reduced, allowing cooperatives to gather larger volumes for sale.
The Deputy President emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing household incomes through projects like these and reported that 227 milk coolers have already been distributed from a planned 230 under the current phase. The remaining three are expected to be delivered before the next distribution phase begins in February 2027.
Prof. Kindiki highlighted the significance of dairy farming as a vital income source for rural households, contributing significantly to Kenya’s milk production, which exceeds five billion liters annually.
Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke urged cooperatives and processors lacking cooling equipment to apply formally. The government will assess and provide machines to eligible groups as they become available, aiming to position cooling facilities close to farmers in areas with high milk collection volumes but insufficient storage infrastructure.
The new coolers will also support Limuru Dairy, a farmer-owned processor, enhancing its ability to secure a steady supply of raw milk and providing farmers with more reliable market access.
The Kenya Kwanza administration reaffirms its support for agricultural value chains, focusing on equipment, processing facilities, and measures to reduce production costs. For Kiambu’s farmers, these nine coolers represent an investment in enhancing the value of their milk.
Overall, the expansion of cooling facilities is expected to improve the volume and quality of milk entering formal markets, strengthen cooperatives, and increase returns for the 21,000 farmers benefiting from this distribution. With 227 coolers already issued, the upcoming phase in February will extend support to additional dairy enterprises nationwide.
